Lordosis

The spine has four natural curves. Two are lordotic and two are kyphotic. The cervical and lumbar curves are lordotic. The thoracic and sacral curves are kyphotic. The curves help to distribute mechanical stress as the body moves.

Normal Spinal Column

Lordosis is the normal contour of the neck and lower back. Excessive lordosis may cause an extreme inward curve in the lower back. This condition is also called swayback.

Lordosis

This article is an excerpt from the book Save Your Aching Back and Neck: A Patient’s Guide, edited by Dr. Stewart Eidelson.